Summer Olympics Could Spell Drought for London’s Art

With the summer Olympics approaching fast, there is much commotion surrounding the tourism that follows such an event; both good and bad. The Art News Paper reports that more than six million visitors are expected to be in London during the summer for the Games and that almost all the art venues within London expect lower than average attendance. Beyond tourism and attendance, much of England’s money that would be normally allocated to the arts will be drastically reduced and pushed towards the Games; grants for the arts are expected to fall by 11%. Kevin Fewster, the National Maritime Museum’s director, hopes that the benefits for the art scene in London will be seen down the road. While artistic institutions might be hampered, I could only hope it might open the door for smaller outfits and individual efforts such as street art and impromptu galleries.